Under-12 and under-16 boys, girls SA Junior Country Basketball Championship finals set for live stream
The niece of a three-time Olympian will feature in the second weekend of the SA Junior Country Basketball Championships – exclusively live streamed here.
Live Stream
Don't miss out on the headlines from Live Stream. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Fearless – that is how three-time Olympian Rachael Sporn describes her niece Sienna Lehmann.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE LIVE STREAM FROM 8.30AM SUNDAY
Sienna, who is the daughter of Sporn’s younger sister Hannah, is looking to follow in her aunty’s footsteps by playing basketball for Australia.
For now Sporn is focused on watching the young gun hit the court for Riverland’s under-16 division one side at the SA Junior Country Championships this weekend.
The Advertiser and Messenger will live stream 25 matches from the under-16 and under-12 age groups of the tournament on Sunday (see schedule below).
Our coverage, which includes seven grand finals, will be broadcast across three simultaneous live streams.
It follows our broadcast of the under-14 and under-18 boys and girls SA Junior Country Championship finals earlier this month.
Sporn is looking forward to cheering on Sienna and believes the rising star has what it takes to develop into a great player.
“Sienna is only 13 but is playing alongside adults in Waikerie which is what us three sisters did when we grew up,” Sporn said.
“She’s already playing above her own age group which is pretty amazing and she really had no fear.
“I am feeling very proud because I can see that she has a real passion for the game.
“She’s working so hard and improving herself as well.
“I love how hard she plays, she’s got a great basketball IQ and just a real natural feel of the game.
“Most importantly she has the desire, which is great to see.”
Sporn enjoyed an 11-year WNBL career with Adelaide Lightning which included five premierships (1990, 1994–1996, 1998), two WNBL MVPs (1996, 1997) and two WNBL grand final MVPs (1994, 1995), as well as being named in the All Star Five side eight times.
The now 52-year-old also featured in three Olympic Games with Australia’s women’s basketball team, helping the side claim two silvers (2000 Sydney, 2004 Athens) and bronze at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
The country titles, meanwhile, will tip off on Saturday, featuring under-12 and under-16 boys and girls teams facing off in a round-robin clashes.
Sienna will take part in the country titles having just helped Waikerie win the Riverland Basketball women’s division one grand final – an accolade she shared with her mum.
The point guard also won the MVP award.
Sienna said she enjoyed playing alongside her mum as it helped fast track her development but the pair had “been known to tell each other off on the court”.
She is keen for this weekend’s titles and is hoping Riverland can earn a spot in the play-offs then win the grand final.
“It’ll be great to play against the best in SA’s country areas and see how good they are,” Sienna said.
“The live streaming is a great idea for people who can’t make the games, like grandparents back in the country.
“It’s also good exposure for us with other coaches and state selections that might not have seen us play before taking notice.
“Hopefully we can win the championship.”
Revealed: Players you need to watch at National Netball Championships
Future Diamonds will shine on the court at the National Netball Championships. Find out which players you should be keeping an eye on during the week-long tournament.
Watch every replay: Teen speed demons dominate Bay Sheffield
A pair of teenagers have scorched the turf at Glenelg to claim South Australia’s richest foot races. Rewatch all our Day 1 & 2 live streams here.